Houston's NRG Stadium witnessed the end of Canada's historic World Cup journey as Azzedine Ounahi scored a decisive brace to send Morocco into the quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory. The 2026 co-hosts, playing in the knockout stage for the first time, were ultimately undone by the Atlas Lions' resilience and clinical finishing, bringing their tournament to a sobering conclusion.
Match Report
Canada started brightly, forcing Yassine Bounou into early action and looking the more likely to open the scoring. However, Morocco weathered the pressure and suffered a major blow when star striker Ismael Saibari was forced off injured after just 22 minutes. That setback did not derail the North Africans, who grew into the game and took control after the break.
Ounahi broke the deadlock early in the second half, latching onto a loose ball in the box to give Morocco the lead. The midfielder, who had impressed for his country in Qatar 2022, showed composure to finish from close range. Canada pushed for an equaliser but were caught on the counter, and Ounahi grabbed his second with a well-placed shot to double the advantage.
Soufiane Rahimi then put the result beyond doubt, adding a third goal late on as Morocco's substitutes made an impact. The 3-0 scoreline reflected the gulf in experience as the Atlas Lions progressed to face either France or Paraguay in the last eight.
Morocco's Dominance
Despite losing Saibari, Morocco showed the depth and tactical discipline that took them to the semi-finals four years ago. Their midfield controlled possession after the interval, and the defence held firm against Canada's physical attack. The eight yellow cards issued told a story of a stop-start affair, but Morocco's superior quality in the final third made the difference.
For Canada, the defeat ends a campaign that promised much after reaching the last 32 for the first time. Manager John Herdman will reflect on missed chances in the first half, but ultimately the co-hosts could not contain Morocco's second-half surge.
What's Next?
Morocco now await the winner of the later clash between tournament favourites France and Paraguay. A potential rematch of the 2022 semi-final against Les Bleus looms, offering the Atlas Lions a shot at redemption. Meanwhile, Canada's attention turns to building on this experience ahead of the 2030 cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Azzedine Ounahi scored twice in the second half to seal Morocco's quarter-final berth.
- Canada, one of the three co-hosts, became the first host nation eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.
- Morocco's resilience after losing Ismael Saibari to injury demonstrated their squad strength.
- The Atlas Lions remain on course to replicate their historic 2022 semi-final run.
Quick Facts
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston
Final Score: Canada 0-3 Morocco
Goalscorers: Ounahi (2), Rahimi
Card Count: 8 yellow cards
Morocco's Next Opponent: France or Paraguay
